My wife picked out an expensive Kohler for our master bath, Turns out she likes the Home Depot toilets better.

How would you recommend, or what resources would you refer for us to properly figure out how we spend our time and appropriately get compensated for it?

We currently live in CA, but are moving to Illinois in the coming months - so this will be our state of residence soon.

I know it helped our value.

In our still relatively limited experience, seller financiers are usually looking to get a higher asking price in exchange for the favor of the private loan. 

Here’s our OPINION for the Metro Detroit market (use as a template for your target area!)

In our area, it is rare to find a gas station where the real estate is owned by the operator.

Almost all of our SF rentals are in owner occupants neighborhoods. 

Like you said RE is a people business and if you are uncomfortable with people you probably aren't going far. bottom line people our age actually worked at 8 9 10 years old did not sit home playing computer games LOL.. although kids doing that today and have a knack for it and go into tech later do quite well of course :)   I mean for me it was 57 to 60 years ago I am just thankful today I am alive and well and can read and type and still work :)  AND remember those days fondly.

@Martti Eckert in our opinion, you'll need to be really familiar with construction, including costs, or be able to find somoen on the ground you can REALLY trust (but still verify).